Photo: Alice ShanksCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Spiny Burrgrass Plant Care
Cenchrus caudatus (Schrad.) Kuntze
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Known for its striking long, bristly seed heads that resemble a fox's tail, this plant originates from Africa and Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to Cenchrus caudatus for its unique appearance and ability to add a touch of exotic flair to their gardens.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Spiny Burrgrass?
Water Spiny Burrgrass every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Spiny Burrgrass Native To?
- Angola
- Bahrain
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Qatar
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- UAE
- Uganda
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Spiny Burrgrass?
Spiny Burrgrass (Cenchrus caudatus) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Cenchrus genus. Spiny Burrgrass is native to tropical and southern Africa, extending to the Arabian Peninsula. Spiny Burrgrass is also known as Blue Buffelgrass.
Spiny Burrgrass displays an upright, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Spiny Burrgrass produces small spikelets in terminal panicles.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Spiny Burrgrass?
Cenchrus caudatus requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Spiny Burrgrass Need?
Spiny Burrgrass thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Spiny Burrgrass Prefer?
Cenchrus caudatus grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Spiny Burrgrass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spiny Burrgrass?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Spiny Burrgrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Spiny Burrgrass?
Feed Spiny Burrgrass every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Spiny Burrgrass?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Spiny Burrgrass?
Spiny Burrgrass can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pearl millet plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Spiny Burrgrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Spiny Burrgrass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Spiny Burrgrass?
Spiny Burrgrass is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Spiny Burrgrass Need?
Spiny Burrgrass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Spiny Burrgrass is native to tropical and southern Africa, extending to the Arabian Peninsula.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Spiny Burrgrass is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Cenchrus genus — compare its care with other Cenchrus species on PlantoScan.
Cenchrus is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Spiny Burrgrass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Cenchrus Species
Other Cenchrus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cenchrus caudatus (Schrad.) Kuntze, family Poaceae (first published in Revis. Gen. Pl. 3(2): 346 (1898)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spiny Burrgrass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Alice Shanks, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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